Rev. Donnie Ray Drake, Sr., 83, of Spring Lake passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the NC State Veterans Nursing Home in Fayetteville. He was born in Fayetteville, AR, the son of the late Tom Drake and Sylvia McConnell. Donnie retired from the US Army after 22 years of service as Sergeant First Class. He served in Korea and Vietnam. After retiring from the Army, he entered the ministry and founded Lighthouse Christian Church in Spring Lake. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Rachel Wilkins Drake; brothers, Bobby Joe and Roy; sister, Maxine.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Margie Heaster Drake of the home, son, Donnie Drake, Jr. of Johnson City, TN; 2 daughters, Kathy Drake Blanton and husband, Kenneth of St. Pauls, Tammy Hein and husband, Walton of Lillington, NC; 7 grandchildren; sister, Patsy Ann of Tiftonia Village, TN; 2 step-sons, Bud and Greg and 4 step-daughters, Linda, Laura, Leona and Lydia.

A funeral service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, April 23, 2016 at O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Chapel with Rev. Jerome Pope officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 2:00-3:00 PM and other times at the home of Tammy Hein. A graveside service will held 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake with full military honors.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.